You’ve now done most everything you can do on Ard Skellig at this level without advancing the main story or helping Crach. Time you got around to looking for Ciri again. From the "Abandoned Sawmill" signpost head south-east through the woods. Be wary, however, as you’ll come across Endrega Drones (level twenty) and perhaps a Venomous Arachas (level thirty-one) if you’re unlucky. Discretion is the better part of valor, in this case.

Guarded Treasure (Level 27)

There is a longer, safer, and more lucrative path you can take, however. Fast-travel back to the Gedyneith signpost and follow the road north-east from here until it shortly bisects with another road, which you should follow south-east. This road will run more or less east for a while, taking you through a section of forest patrolled by a pack of White Wolves (level fifteen) before bending back to the south-west.

South of the road you should find some ruins, which is the site of a Guarded Treasure event. The guardian here just so happens to be an Earth Elemental (level twenty-seven) which, if you’ve been following this guide, should be within your means to dispatch. Sure, it’s got a few levels on you, but it’s not a terribly dynamic foe. It’ll make ponderously slow attacks with its massive fists, summon a line of rocks to harass you at range, surround both of you with a cage of stone that still leaves plenty of room to maneuver, and perform a leaping ground-pound attack. Of these attacks, only the last is troublesome, as it can blast through Quen and still do a bit of damage. Still, it’s slow as the stone it’s made out of and goes to great lengths to advertise its attacks ahead of time. It might take a while, but the good old strong attack and dodge combo works. Once it’s dead, loot a chest it was guarding, then head back to the road.

From here, just follow the road south-west, then south until you reach a fork. At the fork, continue south to reach your destination.

Echoes of the Past (Level 13)

However you go about reaching this location, when you near the objective marker you’ll discover the "Druid’s Camp" signpost and witness Ermion engaged in a shouting match with Yennefer. Shortly you’ll be dragged into the argument, Ermion indulges in a tirade, and Yennefer slips off and commits some mischief while Geralt and Ermion talk. Follow Ermion a bit (applying some Necrophage Oil to your Silver Sword isn’t a bad idea) and when he begins casting a spell, continue to the south-west to find Yennefer.

Fend off some Foglets (level seventeen) and Geralt will talk to Yennefer, who gives Geralt the mask. Complain or not, but Geralt will eventually concede. Follow Yennefer to the south-east and when she instructs, put on the mask [R1] to witness a scene. After some chatter, follow Yennefer further to the south-east and kill another Foglet (level seventeen). When prompted put the mask back on to witness another scene. Travel south-east a third time, kill another Foglet, and don the mask again to learn what happened to Ciri. Further south-east you’ll need to use the mask a fourth time to see what happened to Ciri’s friend

Geralt and Yennefer will discuss what they’ve seen, only to be interrupted by Ermion. After he’s done complaining, Geralt will tell him what they’ve learned. Head south and Yennefer will lift a tree, revealing the nature of Ciri’s assailants. After even more discussion the next destination will be settled upon - you can either meet Yennefer there on your own time, or get her to teleport you there.

Objective

Reward

For using the Mask of Ouroboros to see the past

500 XP

Gwent: Skellige Style

For Geralt’s sake… and for the sake of your Gwent collection, decline to travel with Yennefer and talk to Ermion. Challenge him to a round of Gwent, then defeat his surprisingly mediocre Monster deck. For your victory, he’ll give you the "Leshen" Card, a 10 Strength Ranged Combat Unit Hero Card for Monster decks. He’ll then recommend you play Crach and Gremist.

Objective

Reward

For defeating Ermion at Gwent

25 XP / Leshen Card

Place of Power

You just so happen to know those two characters, so why not seek them out and augment your decks further? Return north to the Druid’s Camp, and from there head east to find a Place of Power. Draw from it to get Geralt another ability point, then fast-travel back to the "Bridge to Kaer Trolde" signpost.

Cards in Kaer Trolde

You’ll find Crach in his keep. Challenge him to a game of Gwent and you’ll discover that if what Ermion said about "the student surpassing the teacher" was true, it’s not by much as Crache also has a fairly weak Monster deck. Crush him and he’ll yield the "Draug" Card, a 10 Strength Close Combat Unit Hero Card for the Monster deck. He’ll also suggest you track down and play a tailor named Sjusta, who just happens to live in town.

Objective

Reward

For defeating Crach at Gwent

25 XP / Draug Card

Fast-travel to the "Kaer Trolde Harbor" signpost and head north to find the tailor’s shop, which you might be familiar with from the quest "The King is Dead - Long Live the King". In any event, his shop is just east of the tavern. Challenge him to a game of Gwent and he’ll field a Northern Kingdoms deck, for a change of pace. He’s capable of pulling a "Commander’s Horn" cards and perhaps a few unit cards with the "Muster" ability, but otherwise, he’s not dangerous. Count on him to counter any build-ups of Siege Unit cards with his leader ability, however. Defeat him and he’ll fork over the "Yaevinn" card, a 6 Strength Scoia’tael card with the "Agile" ability. Yeah, not really anything special…

Objective

Reward

For defeating Sjusta at Gwent

25 XP / Yaevinn Card

Gwent with Gremist

The next target is our good master Gremist, and if anybody deserves to lose a card, it’s him. Fast-travel to the "Gedyneith" signpost and head north to reach his dwelling. Call Gremist a chicken and he’ll agree to play Gwent with you. His Nilfgaardian deck, like all the other quest-related Skelliger decks you’ve seen, is nothing special. He is fond of using weather cards, but those became largely obsolete a long time ago. Thrash him and he’ll hand over his "Mysterious Elf" card… which is just a fantastic card for every deck. It’s a 0 Strength Close Combat Unit Hero Card with the "Spy" ability, which you’ve certain seen played against you by now. Now it’s yours to abuse. He’ll also suggest your next victim - Madman Lugos.

Objective

Reward

For defeating Gremist at Gwent

25 XP / Avallac'h Card

Note: The name of the "Mysterious Elf" card will change when you learn the identify of this character. How nice of CDProjekt to protect against spoilers and all that. Not that the name really would have meant anything to you, but at least it’s constant with the fact that Geralt might not know the name of the character on the card. But then again, how would ANYBODY know the character’s name to make such a card in the first place? Best not to think about it too much.

Madmans Hand

Fast-travel to Kaer Muire and head inside Madman Lugos’ paltry keep. Find the nutter and challenge him to a game of Gwent, in response to which he’ll offer up his "Vampire: Katakan" as the prize for victory. He’ll play another unimpressive Monster deck. He’s got some Hero Cards, and will pull out a "Scorch", but otherwise, it’s nothing to worry over. When you win he’ll live up to his end of the bargain and give you the promised vampire; a 5 Strength Close Combat Unit Card with the "Muster" ability. He’ll also throw in the "Emhyr var Emreis, the White Flame" Leader Card, which cancels out opposing enemy Leader Cards. This completes "Gwent: Skellige Style" .